WiFi router setup in Exeter
Professional wifi router setup services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
WiFi router professionally configured and positioned for fast, reliable coverage throughout your home. Proper security enabled, devices connected, and you'll actually understand how it all works.
When Your WiFi Is Driving You Mad
Buffering videos. Dropouts on calls. Dead zones where WiFi just doesn't reach. The router's been there for 5 years and you've no idea if it's set up right.
Most routers work terribly out of the box. Wrong position, poor settings, no security.
💡 Pro tip: Router position matters more than router quality. A decent router in the right place beats an expensive one hidden in a cupboard.
Why Your WiFi Probably Isn't Optimal
Internet companies install routers where it's convenient for them (near the phone line), not where it works best. Default settings are rarely optimal.
| ✅ Properly Set Up | ❌ Default Installation |
|---|---|
| Central position, good coverage | Tucked in corner by front door |
| 5GHz enabled and optimised | Everything on slow 2.4GHz |
| Security actually enabled | Default password everyone knows |
| Channel selected to avoid interference | Same channel as 10 neighbours |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position | Router located optimally (extend cable if needed) |
| Configure | Settings optimised, security enabled, channels set |
| Connect | All devices connected to best network |
📦 You're Left With
- Fast WiFi throughout most of house
- Secure network with proper password
- Understanding of what you've got
- Advice on whether you need extenders/mesh
Pricing Guide
| What's Involved | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single router setup/optimisation | 1 hr | £60 |
| Router + extenders or complex setup | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Mesh system installation | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Equipment not included.
Perfect For You If...
✅ WiFi is slow despite fast broadband - paying for speed you're not getting
✅ Dead zones in parts of house - upstairs bedroom has no signal
✅ You've just got a new router - want it set up properly
✅ Working from home - need reliable connection for video calls
Why Choose Us for WiFi router setup in Exeter?
Fastest WiFi settings configured
Router positioned for best coverage
Proper security enabled
All devices connected and working
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment
Check your current setup, test speeds in different locations, identify problems, recommend solutions.
Step 2: Optimisation
Reposition router if needed, configure settings for best performance, set proper security, choose optimal WiFi channels.
Step 3: Connection & Testing
Connect all your devices to the best network, test speeds throughout house, show you how to manage it yourself.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to optimise your own router? Here's how:
📍 Router positioning basics
- Centre of house is ideal (I know your phone line isn't there)
- Up high - top of bookshelf better than floor
- Away from thick walls, metal filing cabinets, fish tanks
- Not in a cupboard or behind furniture
- Buy a longer ethernet cable if needed to move it
⚙️ Settings to check
- Login to router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
- Enable 5GHz WiFi if it's not on
- Set different names for 2.4GHz and 5GHz (so you know which you're connecting to)
- Change WiFi channel if lots of neighbours (try 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4GHz)
- Update router firmware if available
🔒 Security essentials
- Change default admin password (not the WiFi password, the router settings password)
- Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption (not WEP, that's ancient)
- Disable WPS (it's a security hole)
- Set a strong WiFi password (not your address or "password123")
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Router hidden in cupboard under stairs (WiFi doesn't go through walls well)
- Still on 2.4GHz only (5GHz is much faster)
- Default password still set (neighbours can see it)
- Firmware never updated (missing performance and security fixes)
- Connecting everything to 2.4GHz when 5GHz is available
💡 Pro trick: Download a WiFi analyser app (free on phones). Shows you which channels neighbours are using so you can pick a clear one.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏰 Old Exeter house with thick walls? Stone/cob construction murders WiFi signal. Might need mesh WiFi system or extenders to get coverage. One router won't cut it in a 200-year-old property.
Virgin Media Hub? These are notorious for being in "modem mode" when they shouldn't be, or having weird settings. I'm very familiar with sorting them out.
Multiple floors? WiFi doesn't like going up/down much. If your router's on ground floor, upstairs bedrooms often have terrible signal. Positioning or extenders needed.
Smart home devices? Some only work on 2.4GHz. If you've got smart bulbs, plugs, etc, you need 2.4GHz enabled even though it's slower. I'll set it up so your phones/laptops use 5GHz and smart stuff uses 2.4GHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my WiFi so slow when I'm paying for fast broadband?
Usually the router's in the wrong place, on the wrong settings, or you're connecting to the slow 2.4GHz network instead of fast 5GHz. Sometimes your router's just old and rubbish. I can work out what's wrong and fix it - often it's something simple.
Where should I put my router for best WiFi?
Central location, up high, away from thick walls and metal objects. Not in a cupboard, not behind the TV, not in the corner of the house. I know that's not where your phone line comes in, but extension cables exist. Position makes a massive difference.
Do I need a mesh WiFi system or will my router be fine?
Depends on your house size and construction. Modern plasterboard house under 1500 sq ft? One good router is usually fine. Old Devon stone house, thick walls, 3 floors? Mesh system or extenders definitely needed. I'll tell you honestly what you need.
Can you set up different WiFi for guests so they can't access my stuff?
Yes - most modern routers have a guest network feature. Separate WiFi name and password, gives them internet access but not access to your computers, NAS drive, smart home stuff, etc. Good security practice.
Why do I have two WiFi networks showing?
Your router broadcasts on two frequencies - 2.4GHz (slower, better range) and 5GHz (faster, shorter range). Some routers split these into two network names, some combine them. I can set it whichever way works best for you.
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